An aquaponics system can be as large or as small as desired.

Although aquaponics increasingly is used for commercial and local community sustainability gardens, aquaponics can be used in the home to grow plants year round while enjoying the benefits of an aquarium.

Aquaponics is a system of aquaculture in which waste produced by farmed fish or other aquatic animals supplies nutrients for plants grown hydroponically. The plants in return purify the water as a mutually-symbiotic and sustainable system.

Aquaponics is environmentally friendly. Unlike hydroponics, fertilization happens naturally, with no need to add fertilizer. Aquaponics also saves water, using about 90 percent less water than planting in soil. With aquaponics, there is much less evaporation compared to watering plants in soil.

An aquaponics system works in a cycle. The fish produce waste-containing ammonia. Ammonia is toxic to fish if it exceeds a certain amount, which makes the plants essential to the system.

Seventy percent of fish waste is absorbed by the aquaponics system as it cycles to the grow bed. Microbial bacteria in the grow bed convert fish waste to nitrites and then to nitrates. Plants use these nitrates to grow and return aeriated clean water to the fish tank.

Once established, the system requires little maintenance. Aquaponics-related tasks include feeding the fish, testing the water and occasionally topping off the water. For the most part, a system keeps the tank clean and the fish healthy.

Aquaponics do have some limitations. While almost any plants will grow relative to the system size, there are limitations on plant species.

Examples of plants that can be grown in aquaponics include salad greens, peppers, herbs, and strawberries.

Subterranean plants and root vegetables are difficult to grow. Blueberries and azaleas require acidic soil and cannot be grown in aquaponics.

Grow lights are not necessary for indoor plants if there is a natural light location or the plants do not have high light requirements.

An aquaponics system can be as small or large as desired, and small aquaponics systems usually include all supplies, except the fish. The type of fish to raise in a small tank include white clouds and zebra danios. Both species need a school of at least five to be sustainable.

A small home aquaponics garden is an easy extension for a home aquarium. For gardeners who wish to grow herbs, salad greens or small vegetables indoors while raising fish in an aquarium, consider investing in a small home aquaponics system.

Penn State Extension's https://extension.psu.edu/growing-microgreens has information about growing microgreens using aquaponics systems. There are a small number of books devoted to small and large scale aquaponics gardening.

If you have questions about which vegetables to grow or aquaponics gardening, call the Master Gardener Garden Hotline at 724-287-4761, Ext. 7, or email the Master Gardeners at butlermg@psu.edu.

Expert Master Gardeners and Extension Educators from across the state will be answering some questions during “Garden Hotline LIVE.” Submit questions for the live show here: https://pennstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6fbKDzHz5bNgknj.

For more information about how to watch Garden Hotline LIVE, visit our statewide Penn State Extension Master Gardener group page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/696217890434068.

Louis and Mary Ellen Benedict are Penn State Extension Master Gardener Apprentices of Butler County.

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